Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando has named the executive leadership team for Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, opening March 17.
As the second hotel in the destination’s all-new Value category, guests will enjoy extra affordability at this coastal-themed hotel offering two-bedroom suites that sleep up to six guests, along with standard rooms. By the end of 2020, Loews Hotels & Co will co-own and operate eight hotels with a total of 9,000 rooms, in partnership with Universal Orlando.
At completion, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort will add more than 700 jobs to Orlando’s hospitality industry and bring the number of Loews Hotels & Co team members based at Universal Orlando Resort to more than 5,200. The following executives will oversee this spring’s opening of Dockside Inn and Suites:
George Cronk is the Managing Director. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience working at Loews Hotels across the country. His deep company roots have taken him coast to coast, from an opening team member at Loews Coronado Bay Resort to Hotel Manager at Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel, followed by General Manager at Loews Annapolis Hotel and Loews Hotel 1000 Seattle. Cronk returns to Orlando where he previously held a variety of roles, including Executive Chef for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Executive Chef, Director of Food & Beverage and Executive Assistant Manager for Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Leonard Kong has been promoted to Hotel Manager. He was previously the Complex Director of Rooms at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. With more than a decade of hospitality and leadership experience in a variety of positions with Loews Hotels & Co, Kong has been instrumental in driving guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
Phil Klinkenberg is Director of Food & Beverage. He was previously Associate Director of Food & Beverage for Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, where he played a key role in building its award-winning and distinctive food and beverage operations. Klinkenberg joined Loews Hotels & Co in 2013 as the opening Director of Food & Beverage at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and brings more than 20 years of progressive food and beverage leadership experience.
Stephanie Legros has been named Director of Human Resources. She was previously opening Director of Human Resources for Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Complex Associate Director of Human Resources for Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Legros’ robust 18-year career with Loews Hotels & Co began at Loews Philadelphia Hotel and brought her to Orlando in 2011, where she has served in a variety of human resources leadership roles.
Carla Simpson is Director of Finance. She was most recently the opening Director of Finance for Dockside Inn and Suites’ sister hotel, Surfside Inn and Suites, and has held various financial leadership roles with the company. Prior to joining Loews Hotels & Co in 2013, Carla was the Assistant General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Airport.
Khalid Benghallem has been named Executive Chef. He was most recently Executive Sous Chef for the Wyndham Grand Resort Bonnet Creek, where he oversaw the culinary operations of multiple high-volume restaurants and banquets. Benghallem’s career spans four continents with Executive Chef roles in Morocco, France and more. When he first arrived in Orlando, he worked as Sous Chef for Emeril’s Orlando at Universal CityWalk.
Marty Grozdanich is Director of Housekeeping. In his previous role as Director of Housekeeping at Westgate Resorts, he oversaw a team that serviced more than 2,100 rooms. Marty’s background also includes Radisson Hotels, Holiday Inn Vacation Club and Walt Disney World.
Edwin Millan is Director of Engineering. He brings more than 20 years of experience as a Director of Engineering for Diamond Resorts International, Hilton Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Radisson Hotels. Most recently, he was part of the opening team for Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
